Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was introduced to an energetic crowd at the Waukesha Expo Center on Wednesday night by Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Trump spoke about the recent rise in violence in some large cities across country, including Milwaukee, and touted his plans for crime reduction.
As he did last month in West Bend, Trump spent some time in Waukesha telling a predominantly white audience about his hope to help Latinos and African-Americans.
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“My agenda for reducing crime will benefit all Americans,” Trump said. “But those who will benefit most are African-American and Hispanic-American citizens living in high crime communities. And people in Milwaukee, they’re gonna love Donald Trump. We’re going to have safety.”
Trump’s plan includes expanding programs to get gang members and drug dealers off the street.
Kathy Gutenkunst attended the rally in Waukesha. She said she thinks Trump can restore law and order.
“This country needs to believe in itself and I don’t think we do that right now,” Gutenkunst said. “I think there’s an awful lot of disrespect for law enforcement and our country in general and I think he will hopefully bring that back.”
Robin Moore, a Trump supporter, said she was impressed with Trump’s speech.
“We are energized here in Wisconsin,” Moore said. “He gives us purpose and a reason to go out and fight for him and fight for America.”
Another supporter, Angela Willier, said she thought Trump looked strong and was convincing.
Some prominent Wisconsin GOP officials attended the rally as well. Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow asked the crowd to help him turn Wisconsin red again, while former Gov. Tommy Thompson was instrumental in raising the crowd’s energy level.
Thompson backed Ohio Gov. John Kasich during the Wisconsin Republican presidential primary in April. But at last night’s rally, Thompson touted trump.
“Just like Ronald Reagan said tear down the wall, Donald Trump says we are going to defeat the Islamic terrorists. Remember that,” said Thompson.
Later, Trump praised Thompson for bringing in some of the governor’s longtime backers.
“Did you see the whole group of people he produced today? He’s got so many wonderful people. I won’t say establishment types, but they are.”
Trump has been hampered by lack of support from some mainstream Republicans as he tries to overtake Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, polls have shown.
There were voices of opposition present among rally goers as well. Wisconsin immigrant rights group, Voces de la Frontera, protested outside the rally. Three protesters were removed from the center during the event.
The Wisconsin Democratic Party have said Trump’s divisive rhetoric and dangerous policy proposals disqualify him from being president.
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